title: The changing pattern of fetal hydrops.
abstract: Fetal hydrops (hydrops fetalis) remains a significant cause of fetal and neonatal mortality. The decreased incidence of rhesus iso-immunisation due to prophylaxis with rhesus immune globulin (anti-D), improved antenatal ultrasound screening, and advances in neonatal intensive care have greatly altered the clinical outlook in this condition. A retrospective review of all 27 liveborn cases of hydrops in the Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast in the period 1974-89 showed that in the last five years 40% of cases were non-immune in origin. The mortality rate fell from 100% in the first part of the study to 50% in the second.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal intensive care unit, Royal Maternity Hospital.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Halliday
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McClure
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity; D006801:Humans; D015160:Hydrops Fetalis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies